Sly Cooper’s Return: Solving Cliffhangers or Risking a Reboot Disaster?

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Twelve years have passed since the last chapter in the cherished Sly Cooper series was released, with Thieves in Time leaving the story on a suspenseful cliffhanger that sparked much debate among fans. Ever since then, supporters of this charming Sony-exclusive game have been left wondering if they’ll get to rejoin the adventures of our cunning raccoon protagonist and his companions once more.

For devoted PlayStation enthusiasts, a new chapter in the Sly Cooper series promises an exhilarating journey. However, developers face numerous challenges along the way. From the unresolved cliffhanger to hints of a shift in setting, the prospective next Sly Cooper game will undoubtedly have its fair share of obstacles to overcome.

Sly Cooper’s Cliffhanger Ending Deserves Answers, But a Full-Blown Reboot May Be for the Best

A Refresher on Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time’s Wild Ending

At the climax of “Thieves in Time”, Sly confronts the villain Le Paradox aboard a flying airship. Le Paradox deceives Sly, taking his parachute and leaping from the airship, seemingly leaving Sly to meet his end. However, the game’s finale hints that Sly is still missing, causing distress among his companions. Fortunately, it turns out that Sly has survived, but with a significant twist – he’s been transported back in time to Ancient Egypt. Although there are no current plans for another “Sly Cooper” adventure, continuing the story from where “Thieves in Time” ended is not straightforward.

The first installment in the “Sly Cooper” series, titled “Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time“, was not created by Sucker Punch, instead it was developed by Sanzaru Games.

Sly Cooper’s Drastic Setting Change Could Prove Too Risky

If the next major Sly Cooper game were to directly follow Thieves in Time and take place in Ancient Egypt, it might seem out of character for the franchise. Consistency has been a hallmark of the series, from its tone to its settings, and such a significant change of location could make the new installment feel disconnected from previous games, given the long gap between releases. A reboot that swiftly revises the post-credits Ancient Egypt twist might be the best way to proceed, considering it’s been over a decade since the last game in the series.

Despite the fact that some fans are eager for explicit details about Sly’s stay in Ancient Egypt, a compromise might be to incorporate an introduction sequence delving into this historical era, while also ensuring Sly eventually returns to his companions. The enduring appeal of the Sly Cooper series lies in its engaging cast of characters and stealth-oriented gameplay. Since Bentley, Murray, and Carmelita didn’t travel back in time with Sly, focusing solely on an Ancient Egyptian setting for the sake of narrative separation might undermine the camaraderie that forms the heart of the series’ storyline.

A New Sly Cooper Game Hopefully Awaits Gamers in the Future

According to current information, it seems that no new Sly Cooper game is being developed at the moment, and it remains uncertain if the series will be revisited in the future. The original creators, Sucker Punch, have been kept busy with Ghost of Tsushima and its upcoming title, Ghost of Yotei.

Ghost of Yotei is set to be released this year but has yet to confirm an official date.

In a speculative scenario, if Sucker Punch were to revisit the Sly Cooper series, the prospective creators might aim to provide resolution for the contentious ending of Thieves in Time while simultaneously progressing the narrative without getting bogged down in Ancient Egypt. Although the franchise seems inactive at present, there remains optimism that Sly Cooper could resurface in the future. When (or if) that happens, it’ll be interesting to see where the story will lead next.

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2025-02-17 16:05